Difference Between Spider and Insect

Main Difference

The main difference between spider and insect is that spider body divides into two regions: cephalothorax and abdomen, whereas the insect body divides into three regions: head, thorax, and abdomen.

Spider vs. Insect

Spider consists of two body segments: cephalothorax and abdomen, eight-legged and predatory arachnids whereas insect possesses six legs and have one or two pairs of wings. Spider belongs to the phylum Arthropoda and class Arachnida while insect belongs to the phylum Arthropoda and class Insecta. The spider lives in the terrestrial environment; on the other hand, the insect can be aquatic and parasitic, but some mostly live in a terrestrial environment. Spider has four pair of appendages; on the flip side, the insect has three pairs of appendages. Wings of spider are absent, but many insects have wings. The spider used to sense through their cuticles whereas insect sense through their antenna. Spider has chelicerae; conversely, insect possesses proboscis, mandibles, and maxilla. Spider has one to six pairs of simple eyes, whereas insect has one pair of compound eyes. Spider respires through their trachea and book lungs at the same time while insect respires through trachea only. The blood color of spider is blue; on the other hand, the insect has colorless blood. Spider is mainly predator whereas insect feed on both animal materials and plant. Spider undergoes incomplete metamorphosis, whereas insect undergoes complete metamorphosis.

Comparison Chart

Spider

Insect

Spider consists of two body segments: cephalothorax and abdomen, eight-legged and is predatory arachnids.

Insect possesses six legs and one or two pairs of wings and is small arthropods.

Phylum/Class

Phylum Arthropoda and class Arachnida

Phylum Arthropoda and class Insecta

Habitat

Mostly Terrestrial

Can be aquatic and parasitic, but some mostly live in a terrestrial environment.

Body Division

Cephalothorax and abdomen

Head, thorax, and abdomen.

Appendages

Four pairs of appendages

Three pairs of appendages

Wings

Do not have wings

Have wings

Mouthparts

Possess chelicerae

Possess proboscis, maxilla, and mandibles.

Senses

Sense through cuticles

Through antennae

Eyes

One to six pairs of simple eyes

One pair of compound eyes

Respiration

Through book lungs and trachea

Only through trachea

Blood Color

Blue blood color

Colorless blood

Diet

Mainly predators

Feed on both animal material and plants

Metamorphosis

Incomplete metamorphosis

Complete metamorphosis

Examples

Black widow spider, goliath bird eater, jumping spider, and tarantula

Bee, ant, fly, butterfly, true bugs, termite, grasshopper, and louse

What is a Spider?

Spider consists of two body segments: cephalothorax and abdomen, eight-legged and are predatory arachnids. About 50,000 species of spiders can be found all over the world(except Antarctica). Spider body divides into two regions: cephalothorax and abdomen. Spider has one to six pairs of simple eyes. Spider has four pair of appendages or legs that connected to the cephalothorax. Cephalothorax of spider consist of brain, stomach, mouth fangs, and glands, which produce poison. The abdomen of the spider consists of gland type called spinneret from which silk released to outside. To stick their body to the web, they secrete oils. The hairs which are present to the legs of the spider are sensitive to smell and vibrations. It’s every leg has six joints. So, they have 48 knees. The spider used to feed on liquid food. That’s why they have a tiny gut. Most of the spiders are predators who inject poison to kill their prey, though herbivorous spiders are present as well. Spider undergo incomplete metamorphosis. There are three stages of their life cycle as egg, larva, and adult.

What is an Insect?

Insect possesses six legs and one or two pairs of wings and is small arthropods. Around 6-10 million insects found in all over the world. Most of them live in terrestrial environments. Body divides into head thorax and abdomen. They have one pair of compound eye and a pair of antennae. Characteristically, two pairs of wings connected to the thorax. Insects have six legs. The body of the insect covered with an exoskeleton, which is made up of chitin. Insects feed on animal material as well on plants. Feeding occurs through three types; chewing, sponging, and sucking. Chewing insects have mandibles, labium, and maxilla as their mouthparts. Respiration in insects occurs through the trachea. Insects undergo complete metamorphosis. Stages of the life cycle are an egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Insects typically move through walking, flying and sometimes by swimming. Water spiders are capable of walking on the surface of the water.

Key Differences

Spider consisting of two body segments: cephalothorax and abdomen, eight-legged and predatory arachnids whereas insect possesses six legs and have one or two pairs of wings and are small arthropods.

Spider belongs to the phylum Arthropoda and class Arachnida while insect belongs to the phylum Arthropoda and class Insecta.

Spider lives in the terrestrial environment; on the other hand, the insect can be aquatic and parasitic, but some mostly live in a terrestrial environment.

The spider’s body divides into cephalothorax and abdomen; on the contrary, an insect’s body divides into the head, thorax, and abdomen.

Spider has four pair of appendages; on the flip side, the insect has three pairs of appendages.

Wings of spider are absent, but many insects have wings.

The spider used to sense through their cuticles whereas insect sense through their antenna.

Conclusion

Above discussion concludes that spider consists of two body segments: cephalothorax and abdomen, eight-legged and predatory arachnids whereas insect possesses six legs and one or two pairs of wings and are small arthropods.